2nd, 3rd, & 4th Gen Thunderbird: More Popular than the 1st Gen?
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- Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
- The second generation Thunderbird is controversial to say the least. Many in the car community have distaste for the styling of the bigger Thunderbirds. However the 1958 Thunderbird earns the Motor Trend Car of the year award for 1958 and Ford sell four times as many second generation T-birds as they had the 3 years prior. Today we are going to take a look at the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation Ford Thunderbird.
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Thanks for watching and a HUGE thank you to my subscribers. It's nice when someone appreciates your work!
My first car was a 1963 T-Bird and I loved the car. I wasn't keen on the 2 Gen, but loved the rest up through 1969. Well done Tony.
Thank you for your comment and for watching!
My buddy Rick (RIP) had a 64 as his daily driver and would drive it to the car shows. Beautiful car.
The '65 was more than a carry over of the '64. The '64 has the '63 steering components and a generator. For '65, the front underpinnings were changed, they went to the alternator and that was the first year for the famous Ford keys that could be used right side up or upside down. Not sure, but front disc brakes might have been new for '65 also. Back in the day, I had a rusty '65 that i rebodied with a '64. I learned the hard way about those changes. As a Ford enthusiast, I enjoy your videos.
Thank you for the information and thanks for watching the channel!
I love them all gen 1-5. They lost me until the Turbo Coupes of the 80's came out.
On my mom's 50th birthday, she went to the Ford Dealership and bought a 1986 T-bird (5.0L) that was on the showroom floor. She loved that car because 1.) it was sleek and stylish. 2.) It symbolized independence and freedom, not having to have approval from anyone. She loved it and her (2nd) husband hated it for those very same reasons. 😎
I still see that car being driven around, from time to time.
Love those generations. A 1965 or 1966 convertible would be my favorite choice with the front disc brakes. The only Thunderbird I ever owned was a 1984 Turbocoupe bought new. Hope someday Ford offers a Thunderbird again, but better not be a crossover or SUV. You put a lot of effort into these videos and its most appreciated.
Thank you for watching and for your comment!
66 T-bird is the most beautiful Bird ever made.
My folks had a new 1958 in red with red/white interior. It was a fantastic car. As a 6-year-old in 62, I did not like that the landau trend was starting and never liked the landau packages on thunderbirds until 67, 8, 9. I feel '66 is the most sophisticated of all thunderbirds. I've also fallen in love with the four doors as a mature person. I thought it was sacrilege as a teenager.
I'm not a fan of the Landau myself. I do not like the S shaped trim. It was made as a tribute to horse drawn carriage handles. I don't know how many people back then remember riding in a horse drawn carriage. I'm still not in love with four doors. However I have been told I still act like a teenager so might be the issue. Thanks for watching!
@@TonysFordsandMustangs Lol. Thanks for writing back, Tony.
I've always loved the air of class and sophistication that the Thunderbird has. They're definitely the kind of car that you'd drive to some fancy gala.
LOVE these cars! I always felt they were, as the ad people said, "Unique in all the world!" 1964 was my favorite year (the red convertible in the video is magnificent) and I eventually was able to get 2 1966 Thunderbirds, a gold Town Landau and a convertible in the same color combination as the one in your video. I agree with your statement. They are all about style.
Couldn't agree more!
I like the third and fourth generation. The sequential turn signals along with the chrome wrap around bumper was really sexy. I also liked the curved rear seat.
I was born into Ford life Dad started working for Ford at seventeen my second car was a convertible Tbird with the roadster option in 1974 I had all the great Ford's 😊
Very cool!
I’m a thunderbird fan, miss the car.. thank you Tony. The attention to detail is appreciated !
Thanks for the kind words and for watching!
I understand Peter, I do too. But we both know it would be an EV or SUV along the lines of the current equivalent Mustang.
The best series of videos ever on the Thunderbird. Looking forward to your next one on the 6th generation 1972-1976. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the kind words and for watching!
It's amazing how great the square bird sits by just puttining on 15's.
Also, 1963 saw the Limited Edition Landau. 2,000 produced.
I got my drivers license at 16 driving my Uncles '63 Landau. Later while in my 20's I owned two '63s a '61 and a '66. They were wonderful cars.
Keep it up Tony. Your channel has quickly become one of my favorites. Maybe need to branch out and have a GM and Mopar channel too! Lol
Thank you for watching and for the kind words! I know a little bit about Mopars and less about GM cars. There are SO many Fords yet to dig into.
@@TonysFordsandMustangs Don't do it Tony! Stick with the Ford products. Us Ford guys need an oasis in the middle of all the GM and Mopar stuff.
Right On Tony!! Mom had a 64' Thunder Chicken bck in the 80s...if I remember it right I think it had a 390. Awesome stuff man!!
Thank you!
I've always thought the (3rd gen) Bullet Birds were the nicest looking Thunderbirds ever made. Of course, everyone has their own taste and that is a very good thing.
Thanks for your comment and for watching.
Did you forget the 1960 sunroof option, very rare but I did get to see one at the 2024 Detroit Autorama. The car was pretty much an original car.
I do enjoy your videos. All of us forget something
Jim E
Hi Jim, Thanks for watching the video and for the kind words. I will miss something in just about every video or make a mistake here or there. I enjoy making these videos as it keeps me busy. People like you enjoying the videos keeps me going.
I’m not a big fan of 1st gen birds, but I love the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. The convertible versions are among the most beautiful cars ever made.
It really is a shame Ford didn’t build a convertible 5th gen. There is probably a custom job out there somewhere. Great video.
Thank you for your comment and the kind words!
Great presentation. We have a 66 t bird
Thank you!
Well, the "Bulletbird" looks better than 2nd and 4th gen Fords. And as much as I find some design cues questionable 60's Thundebirds look much better tnan 70's ones (especially 1973 to 1979 models).
3rd Gen are the most beautiful birds of all. ❤
I do like these 2nd gens, but I’m looking forward to the 67’s. I did own a couple of them. A 2 door and a 4 door. Sadly, I was young and didn’t have the money to get them on the road. One of the biggest regrets of my youth.
the 1965 thunderbird is simply the most perfecly stylized car ever ...i wish they would bring it back today with improved mechancal features of today such as much improved entertainment systems much better brakes and suspension and smaller more powerful engines than you would have the perfect car
Love them all!
My 1966 Thunderbird is a Survivor. Recently being careful I've cruised around in the car. Someone pulled out in front of me. Then slammed on the brakes just in time.
Glad to hear everything is OK you and your car.
I really like the 2nd, 3rd and 4th gen T-Birds. Within each set, I do have my favorites. The '59 was a nice refinement of the '58, mainly with the simple horizonal bars within the front grill and the look continuing with the taillight background. The '60 was garish from the front, and the triple taillights were a bit much. Ideally, the '61 would have been better for '60 (like the rest of Ford's '60 lineup) but it wasn't. Love the '61, and the '62 slightly more per the sexy roadster. The '63 really nice also for the 3rd year. With the '64 I see a clever fusion of the 2nd and 3rd, yet completely new and unique. The cove rear seats were gorgeous. The '65 had the sexy sequential rear taillights and a gently refreshed front end. The '66 not as much, but the landau coupe previewed the 5th gen. I'll just say I really love the '67 and '68 a lot, meaning the regular 2-door. It would have made an amazing convertible had Ford decided to continue it, but that sporty option was now just for Mustang.
I get to the 67- through the early 70's at some point. Thank you for your comment and for watching! It is appreciated!
1964 Thunderbirds have the best upholstrey of any Tbird ever..
I like the first generation styling but really tight inside. The second generation styling was very blocky; reminds me of the concurrent Lincolns, which is not a complement. The third generation bullet birds were much sleeker. Fourth generation was again over-styled; similar but much better on the Mustang. The fourth generation rear seat is very nice, though, and the tail-lights are nice, especially when they got the sequential feature. The fifth generation has an interesting front end, at least until they got the Knudsen "beak", but these cars wallowed, losing any pretense of sportiness. I'd like to forget everything after that until the "aero" birds of the 1980s.
MY FIRST T BIRD WAS A 66 LANDAU
How does the driving experience compare / differ between the 59 - 60, 61-63 and 64 - 66 cars... Styling wise my favorites are the 59, 61 and 65....
I have built a few T Bird model kits..
Those generations represent what in french we would call "embourgeoisement" of the vehicle. While 1st gen was a small sport car, it became progressively a luxurious and heavy 2-doors sedan. The car gets more and more comfort but lose everything that made it a sport car.
That seems very accurate. I think Ford was looking at sales forecasts and put that at the top of the agenda.
These classic T-bird are masterpieces (1958 model no) but was intressant also the 1977 1979 model togheter at the sister Mercury Cougar Xr7 and the monumental Lincoln Continental coupe MK V
The 58' is, compared to the 1st gen, well, rather grotesque. BUT, it grows on you. The interiors were just breathtaking in all of them. How Ford consistently got that "bird-like" beak in each generation is impressive. What happened in 1967? Too many drugs! Thunderbird symbolized SPORTY, grand touring personal luxury. The 1967 forgot the sporty altogether and wound up looking like a dressed up tart (and I don't mean the pastry kind)! Instead, Ford should have re-introduced the "Capri" (with convertible) as a Lincoln and given us a real Thunderbird for 67' (with a convertible both based on the Torino/Cyclone platform!.
I'm not sure what happened in 67 but I promise I will look into it and find out soon enough. Thanks for watching!
SQUARE BIRDS ARE GREAT STYLED
61 -66 still the best looking
4th Gen will always be my favorite. The interiors in the 4th gen could possibly be the most beautiful interior of all time. I’m not a Ford guy. And I’m not really a classic car guy but Ford knocked it out of the park, over the wall and onto the roof of the house a block away from the ballpark with that car. The 1st gen has always been “meh”… the 2nd gen was too bloated. 3rd and 4th were their best efforts.
Thanks for your comment and for watching!
65 is my favorite. They got ugly after the 4th gen.
1964 is ok.
My Mom's daily driver growing up was a 1964 Tbird convert.
Very nice! Thanks for watching!
Moms 64' had the landau roof...all blue..nice interior
Just bought a 65 a month ago that I will start restoring this winter. While I like the 4th Gen, nothing beats the 3rd Gen Roadster!
That's awesome! Best of luck with the restoration!
Loved the video as always, Tony! I appreciate something about almost every generation of Thunderbird. My Mom had a white ‘66 that she and my Dad were restoring while I was in high school. The most unattractive thing about this thing, unfortunately, was the nameplate, which looked like it had been written by a reluctant fifth-grader who was being taught cursive. Other than that, the car rocked!!
Was not a big fan Tony till i got older! Always have to stop and look at them now if i see one. But pretty much feel the same way you do. Good stuff man! Thx!👍
That 62 Sports Roadster grabbed me as a small boy and never let go
I like them all.
My dream Thunderbird has always been the 77-79s. I was a small child at the time and remember women driving them around, which cemented the "personal luxury" image in my mind that Ford was going for with it.
I do have a soft spot for the 66 Thunderbird however. Not because I've particularly loved it so much, but because a short while after my mother passed, she showed up in a dream I had in a white Thunderbird convertible.
1961 was the best.
If I had to pick a favorite between those 3 in styling, I'd pick the second gen. It's much more elegant, royal, and classy than the third and fourth gens, which have a more economical, elderly exterior, other than the 1962 Sports Roadster.
The fifth gen I like much more than the second, third, and fourth. It had the perfect styling to make it a cross between personal luxury and muscular and attract a wide variety of buyers.
IMO, what killed the original Bird was the Mustang on the low end and the Galaxy 500 on the high end during the '60s. The Bird should have gone back to a 2 seater or canceled after '71..
A buddy of mine had a 66 & another had the 57 & I got to spend a little time in them & liked them fine but neither really gave me that "I'd like to have one of these" feelings but I loved the big Fords & of course got to own a few different T-Birds but those comments will be for the next generation video. 🇺🇸
See, they talk about power. The first Thunderbird had a beautiful Sportscar design. It didn't have a muscle engine but it was lovely.
The 58s weren't bad, but the 61s looked like bloated pigs and after that young people dismissed them as power assisted old mans or a woman's car.
Thunderbird GTs Are Go. The 3rd Generation 1961 - 63 My Father Dream Car, May He R.I.P.
I own a 55 TBird and love it. It is beautiful. The 61-63 are even more beautiful, especially the convertibles.
Edit: I wanted to add in something written a book I have about Thunderbirds, they explained why the body style changed every three years. That's because at that time people purchased a new car every three years on the average and Ford wanted them to have a new body style.
Thanks for posting these for us. Very enjoyable. Especially enjoyed the old footage.
Thank you for watching! I was born in 65 and it kind of shocked me how Ford changed something almost each and every year on these cars some changes were more drastic than others but there seemed be subtle differences. I guess they felt it would give people a reason to buy a new car.
@@TonysFordsandMustangs Our neighbors got a new car every year, but they liked Chevrolets. The best two were the 1965 Impala SS 396 and then the 1966 Impala SS with a 427 and a 4 speed. Then the 67 which wasn't very good looking. Thanks for the reply.
@@Colorado_Native I'm Ford Guy but the 66 SS 427 Impala is a sweet car.
My favorite car of all time was the third generation T-Bird!
Which gen had the overhead console of switches?
MY FAVORITE BIRD
What’s wrong with the 60 and the Shark Birds? Nothing is wrong it’s just the way the Detroit made it more family friendly. Great Videos Thank You 🙏
Thank you for watching!
When I was a kid our neighbors had one of the second generation Thunderbirds, and I could probably count on one hand the number of times that I saw them actually drive it. Boy, I wonder whatever happened to that low mileage beauty?
These were cars that people cared for and stored away. Thanks for watching!
A mixed bag. The 55-57 Thunderbirds were pretty pure in their conception and those ones with the Paxton superchargers were really cool. An iconic look, but not my favorite. The 58-60 were hit or miss. With beautiful Kelsey-Hayes wheels and a moonroof, could be a striking car.
But the 1960-1963 were the most beautiful of the years featured here. Clean lines, the Sports Roadster with those Kelsey-Hayes wheels and tonneau cover was stunning .
One of my favorite Fords ever is the 1963 Sports Roadster. The perfect amount of curves in the body with more squared off front wheel housing.
And then those 64-66 like the Thunderbird got flabby and ponderous again. No use for those.
No use for 67-82 years with the decent into malaise, and total luxury and not one iota of sport. That’s a long time.
1983 was finally the return of the balance of luxury AND sport that made Thunderbirds such cool cars. But that’s another story for another time.
I have an 83 through 88 Thunderbird video on the channel. Those are some of my favorites. ua-cam.com/video/-1OQAul360s/v-deo.html
@@TonysFordsandMustangs Thanks! I’ll check it out. My uncle had both a Thunderbird and Cougar from that generation. Both were attractive vehicles. Both had the 3.8.
I love them all!
A great overview of these wonderful and "unique in all the world" cars.
Thank you!
What a relief to get away from all the crap happening in the world today.
Glad to be of service. :) Thank you for watching!